SHAFTSBURY — In what has become an annual tradition at Shaftsbury Elementary School, the parent teacher organization hosted its Big Truck Night fundraiser Friday evening.

Cool trucks filled the parking lot while field next to the school featured carnival games. Students could purchase tickets, which could be redeemed for tries at games such as Lucky Pond, Lollipop Tree, Penny Toss, Toilet Paper Toss, Dinosaur Dig, Shoot a Hoop, and Sponge Toss. Winners would get tokens, which could be redeemed for prizes at a table set up near the entrance of the school. A bouncy house was also set up for younger students, and refreshments were being sold throughout the evening.

Among the trucks that made appearances at the event were a garbage truck from TAM Waste Management, a rig from Curtis Lumber, fire trucks from Shaftsbury, a dump truck from the town's highway department, tow trucks from Morse Towing, a cherry picker from Green Mountain Power, a mail truck from the U.S. Postal Service, a cement mixer from Dailey's, a special operations vehicle from the Bennington Police Department, a truck from the Arlington Rescue Squad, a search and rescue truck and ATV from the Vermont State Police, a tractor, a bucket loader, and more.

Kids could talk to the owners of the truck, who would usually let them climb into the cabin. Sometimes, they were even allowed to try the horns, causing everyone else in the parking lot to jump, parents and children alike.

The event was well-attended, with cars filling the school's back lot, the lot at Cole Hall, and the sides of Buck Hill Road. The event ran from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.

The Shaftsbury PTO is responsible for events throughout the year, including movie nights, game nights, a family dance, a talent show, and more. Big Truck Night is their biggest event of the year. The organization is currently run by co-presidents Nichole Warner and Linda Poole.

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